Legis Daily

PIPES Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-2299| Senate 
| Updated: 8/14/2020
Deb Fischer

Deb Fischer

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Cosponsors (1)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 or the PIPES Act of 2020 TITLE I--IMPROVING PIPELINE SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE This title addresses pipeline safety and infrastructure with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. It authorizes appropriations through FY2023 for specified pipelines safety programs under the Pipelines Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and related enactments. Among other provisions, the title requires fees for compliance reviews of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities; authorizes the establishment of limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operation practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; sets forth requirements for idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines; updates the standards for LNG facilities; establishes the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training to include a repository of information on best practices relating to LNG operations; requires advanced leak-detection technologies and practices that include a schedule for repairing or replacing each leaking pipe, except a pipe with a leak so small that it poses no potential hazard, with appropriate deadlines; directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize a rule on gas gathering lines; and allows the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to use the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, for research and development relating to transportation safety improvements that will advance the safe and efficient transportation of hazardous materials and energy products. TITLE II--LEONEL RONDON PIPELINE SAFETY ACT Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act This title addresses pipeline safety with respect to gas distribution systems. Among other provisions, the title directs DOT to require each distribution integrity plan developed by an operator of a gas distribution pipeline to include the risks from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains and risks that may result from the operation of a low-pressure distribution system; operators to establish protocols for communicating with fire, police, and other relevant public officials after a disaster that includes fires, explosions, or one or more fatalities; procedural manuals for operations, maintenance, and emergencies to include certain written procedures; operators to identify and manage traceable, reliable, and complete, records that are critical to ensuring proper pressure control for a gas distribution system; and the development of standards that promote sufficient staffing for monitoring and regulating gas pressure levels by each operator.

Bill Text Versions

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3 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 25, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Jul 25, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 31, 2019
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 13, 2020
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-217.
Feb 13, 2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
Aug 6, 2020
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)
Aug 6, 2020
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)
Aug 6, 2020
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5348-5354)
Aug 6, 2020
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S5354)
Aug 11, 2020
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 14, 2020
Received in the House.
Aug 14, 2020
Held at the desk.
  • July 25, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 25, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 31, 2019
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 13, 2020
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-217.


  • February 13, 2020
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.


  • August 6, 2020
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)


  • August 6, 2020
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)


  • August 6, 2020
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5348-5354)


  • August 6, 2020
    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S5354)


  • August 11, 2020
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 14, 2020
    Received in the House.


  • August 14, 2020
    Held at the desk.

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2139: Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
  • S 116-1097: Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
AccidentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdvanced technology and technological innovationsColoradoCongressional oversightDepartment of TransportationDisaster relief and insuranceDrug, alcohol, tobacco useDue process and equal protectionEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationEnergy storage, supplies, demandEnvironmental technologyFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIntergovernmental relationsMetalsOil and gasPipelinesPollution liabilityPublic utilities and utility ratesResearch and developmentState and local government operationsTransportation employeesTransportation safety and securityUser charges and feesWorker safety and health

PIPES Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-2299| Senate 
| Updated: 8/14/2020
Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 or the PIPES Act of 2020 TITLE I--IMPROVING PIPELINE SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE This title addresses pipeline safety and infrastructure with respect to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. It authorizes appropriations through FY2023 for specified pipelines safety programs under the Pipelines Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and related enactments. Among other provisions, the title requires fees for compliance reviews of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities; authorizes the establishment of limited safety-enhancing testing programs to evaluate innovative technologies and operation practices testing the safe operation of natural gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facilities; sets forth requirements for idled natural or other gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines; updates the standards for LNG facilities; establishes the National Center of Excellence for Liquefied Natural Gas Safety and Training to include a repository of information on best practices relating to LNG operations; requires advanced leak-detection technologies and practices that include a schedule for repairing or replacing each leaking pipe, except a pipe with a leak so small that it poses no potential hazard, with appropriate deadlines; directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize a rule on gas gathering lines; and allows the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to use the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, for research and development relating to transportation safety improvements that will advance the safe and efficient transportation of hazardous materials and energy products. TITLE II--LEONEL RONDON PIPELINE SAFETY ACT Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act This title addresses pipeline safety with respect to gas distribution systems. Among other provisions, the title directs DOT to require each distribution integrity plan developed by an operator of a gas distribution pipeline to include the risks from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains and risks that may result from the operation of a low-pressure distribution system; operators to establish protocols for communicating with fire, police, and other relevant public officials after a disaster that includes fires, explosions, or one or more fatalities; procedural manuals for operations, maintenance, and emergencies to include certain written procedures; operators to identify and manage traceable, reliable, and complete, records that are critical to ensuring proper pressure control for a gas distribution system; and the development of standards that promote sufficient staffing for monitoring and regulating gas pressure levels by each operator.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 25, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Jul 25, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 31, 2019
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 13, 2020
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-217.
Feb 13, 2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
Aug 6, 2020
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)
Aug 6, 2020
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)
Aug 6, 2020
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5348-5354)
Aug 6, 2020
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S5354)
Aug 11, 2020
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 14, 2020
Received in the House.
Aug 14, 2020
Held at the desk.
  • July 25, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 25, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 31, 2019
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 13, 2020
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-217.


  • February 13, 2020
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.


  • August 6, 2020
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)


  • August 6, 2020
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S5337-5345)


  • August 6, 2020
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5348-5354)


  • August 6, 2020
    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S5354)


  • August 11, 2020
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 14, 2020
    Received in the House.


  • August 14, 2020
    Held at the desk.
Deb Fischer

Deb Fischer

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Cosponsors (1)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transportation and Public Works

Related Bills

  • HR 116-2139: Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
  • S 116-1097: Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AccidentsAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAdvanced technology and technological innovationsColoradoCongressional oversightDepartment of TransportationDisaster relief and insuranceDrug, alcohol, tobacco useDue process and equal protectionEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationEnergy storage, supplies, demandEnvironmental technologyFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIntergovernmental relationsMetalsOil and gasPipelinesPollution liabilityPublic utilities and utility ratesResearch and developmentState and local government operationsTransportation employeesTransportation safety and securityUser charges and feesWorker safety and health